An eight-year-old Louisiana girl has died after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba believed to have been acquired while swimming in Lake Claiborne.
Lillian Smart, from Ruston, died on August 22, one day after her birthday, according to a statement posted by her family on the “Love for Lillian” Facebook page.
“Last night Lillian ran from our arms to the arms of Jesus. The injuries to her brain were too severe for her little body to recover from,” her family said.
The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed on August 19 a case of Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as a brain-eating amoeba, which was likely contracted while swimming in Lake Claiborne.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry offered condolences to Lillian’s family following her death.
“Heartbroken over the news of Lillian’s passing. Please join Sharon and me in prayer for the Smart family and the entire Ruston community during this time,” Landry wrote on X.
Naegleria fowleri is found in warm freshwater, including lakes, rivers and ponds. Infection can occur when contaminated water enters the nose and reaches the brain.
The infection is extremely rare but almost always fatal. Only 180 cases were recorded in the US between 1937 and 2025, including three in Louisiana.
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